Electric toothbrush with integrated water flosser

ABSTRACT

An electric toothbrush with integrated water flosser includes a handle, a brush head having a plurality of bristles for brushing teeth and a liquid spray nozzle for spraying a pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid, a liquid reservoir, a liquid pump for providing liquid from the reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle, and a motor for moving the bristles of the brush head and operating the liquid pump to supply the high-pressure liquid to the liquid spray nozzle. One or more manually-activated switches are provided for selecting one of a plurality of modes of operation including: (a) both moving the bristles and simultaneously spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from the liquid spray nozzle at the same time; (b) moving the bristles but not spraying any liquid from the liquid spray nozzle; and (c) spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from the liquid spray nozzle but not moving the bristles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO APPENDIX

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention relates to dental hygiene products,and more particularly, to electric toothbrushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Powered or electric toothbrushes have become a popular alternative totraditional, manual style toothbrushes. This popularity is partly due tothe fact that electric toothbrushes are easier to use than manualtoothbrushes. With an electric toothbrush, all you need to do is placethe toothbrush on your teeth and let the toothbrush do all the work.Electric toothbrushes have been found to obtain better results with lesswork. Studies have shown that electric toothbrushes do a better job ofboth cleaning teeth and preventing plaque and gingivitis.

Toothbrushes, whether manual or powered, cannot completely reach intothe tight spaces between teeth. Thus, for good dental hygiene, you mustfloss in addition to brushing your teeth. Flossing has traditionallybeen performed with dental floss in the form of a thin nylon or plasticfilament that is manually stuck between teeth and pulled out of theteeth to mechanically remove food particles or other debris stuckbetween the teeth. If these food particles and other debris remainbetween the teeth they can enable bacteria to form and harden intoplaque.

Powered or electric water flossers or irrigators have become a popularalternative to traditional, manual style dental floss. This popularityis partly due to the fact that water flossers are easier to use thandental floss. This is particularly true for individuals that havelimited use of their hands. Water flossers provide a stream ofpulsating, high-pressure water or other liquid to flow through a flossertip that is directed between teeth to remove food particles and otherdebris out from between the teeth. As a result of this easy to performprocess, water flosser users may floss more often than those who onlyhave access to manual style dental floss.

While a dental hygiene routine with both an electric toothbrush and anelectric water flosser can be both effective and easy to perform, thecost of obtaining and maintaining both devices can be cost prohibitive.Additionally, the added tasks of charging and otherwise maintaining twoelectric devices can somewhat reduce their advantages of easier andspeedier use.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved dental hygiene products suchas, for example, electric toothbrushes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an electric toothbrush with integratedwater flosser which addresses at least some of the above-noted problemsof the prior art. Disclosed herein is an electric toothbrush with waterflosser comprising a handle forming an internal cavity, a brush headextending from the handle and having a plurality of bristles configuredfor brushing teeth and a liquid spray nozzle configured for spraying apulsating high-pressure stream of liquid between the teeth and/orbetween the teeth and gums, a liquid reservoir configured to holdliquid, a liquid passage extending from the liquid reservoir to theliquid spray nozzle, a liquid pump located within the internal cavity,and a motor located within the internal cavity. The disclosed motor hasat least one rotatable drive shaft operatively connected to the brushhead to selectively move the bristles to brush the teeth and operativelyconnected to the liquid pump to selectively operate the liquid pump tosupply liquid through the liquid passage from the liquid reservoir tothe liquid spray nozzle. At least one manually-actuated switch isoperatively connected to the motor for selecting one of a plurality ofmodes of operation including: (a) both moving the bristles and sprayingthe pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from the liquid spraynozzle; and (b) moving the bristles but not spraying any liquid from theliquid spray nozzle.

Also disclosed herein is a handheld electric toothbrush with waterflosser that comprises a handle forming at least one internal cavity, abrush head extending from the handle and having a plurality of bristlesconfigured for brushing teeth and a liquid spray nozzle configured forspraying a high-pressure stream of liquid between the teeth and/orbetween the teeth and gums, a liquid reservoir located within theinternal cavity and configured to hold liquid, a liquid passageextending from the liquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle, a liquidpump located within the internal cavity, and a motor located within theinternal cavity. The disclosed motor has at least one rotatable driveshaft operatively connected to the brush head to selectively move thebristles to brush the teeth and operatively connected to a liquid pumpto selectively operate the liquid pump to supply liquid through theliquid passage from the liquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle. Anelectric power source is located within the internal cavity andoperatively connected to the motor to selectively rotate the driveshaft. At least one manually-actuated switch is operatively connected tothe motor for selecting one of a plurality of modes of operationincluding:(a) both moving the bristles and spraying the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid from the liquid spray nozzle; (b) movingthe bristles but not spraying any liquid from the liquid spray nozzle;and (c) spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid to theliquid spray nozzle but not moving the bristles.

Further disclosed herein is an electric toothbrush with water flosserthat comprises a base unit configured to be supported on a horizontalsupport surface a handheld unit operably connected to the base unit. Thebase unit includes a liquid reservoir located within the base unit andconfigured to hold liquid. The handheld unit includes a handle formingat least one internal cavity, a brush head extending from the handle andhaving a plurality of bristles configured for brushing teeth and aliquid spray nozzle configured for spraying a high-pressure stream ofliquid between the teeth and/or between the teeth and gums, a liquidpassage extending from the liquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle,a liquid pump located within the internal cavity, and a motor locatedwithin the internal cavity. The disclosed motor includes at least onerotatable drive shaft operatively connected to the brush head toselectively move the bristles to brush the teeth and operativelyconnected to the liquid pump to selectively operate the liquid pump tosupply liquid through the liquid passage from the liquid reservoir tothe liquid spray nozzle. At least one manually-actuated switch isoperatively connected to the motor for selecting one of a plurality ofmodes of operation including: (a) both moving the bristles and sprayingthe pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from the liquid spraynozzle; (b) moving the bristles but not spraying any liquid from theliquid spray nozzle; and (c) spraying the pulsating high-pressure streamof liquid from the liquid spray nozzle but not moving the bristles.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detaileddescription of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that the present invention provides asignificant advance in the technology and art of electric toothbrushes.Particularly, significant in this regard is the potential the inventionaffords for providing a single handheld electric device for bothbrushing and flossing that is reliable, relatively inexpensive, andrelatively easy to use. Additional features and advantages of theinvention will be better understood in view of the detailed descriptionprovided herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and further objects of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an electric toothbrush according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electric toothbrush of FIG. 1 with abrush head removed from a hand-held housing.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view the brush head of theelectric toothbrush of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmented front view of the brush head of theelectric toothbrush of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4A is an enlarged fragmented front view similar to FIG. 4 butshowing a first variation of the brush head.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged fragmented front view similar to FIGS. 4 and 4Abut showing a second variation of the brush head.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmented side view of the brush head of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmented front view similar to FIG. 5 butshowing the first variation of the brush head of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5B is an enlarged fragmented front view similar to FIGS. 5 and 5Abut showing the second variation of the brush head of FIG. 4B.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the electric toothbrush of FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 a schematic view of an electric toothbrush according to a secondembodiment of the present invention.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarilyto scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variouspreferred features illustrative of the basic principles of theinvention. The specific design features of the various electrictoothbrushes as disclosed herein, including, for example, specificdimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes will be determined inpart by the particular intended application and use environment. Certainfeatures of the illustrated embodiments have been enlarged or distortedrelative to others to facilitate visualization and clear understanding.In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarityor illustration. All references to direction and position, unlessotherwise indicated, refer to the orientation of the electrictoothbrushes illustrated in the drawings. In general, up or upwardgenerally refers to an upward direction within the plane of the paper inFIG. 1 and down or downward generally refers to a downward directionwithin the plane of the paper in FIG. 1. Also in general, fore orforward generally refers to a direction toward the left within the planeof the paper in FIG. 1 and aft or rearward generally refers to adirection toward the right within the plane of the paper in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those whohave knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many usesand design variations are possible for the electric toothbrushesdisclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of variousalternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the generalprinciples of the invention with regard to a specific application. Otherembodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1 to 6 illustrate a hand-held electric toothbrush with integratedwater flosser 10 according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. The illustrated hand-held electric toothbrush with integratedwater flosser 10 includes a body or handle 12 forming an internal cavity14, a removable brush head 16 extending from the handle 12 and having aplurality of bristles 18 configured for brushing teeth and a liquidspray nozzle 20 configured for spraying a pulsating high-pressure streamor jet of liquid between the teeth and/or between the teeth and gums ofa user, a liquid reservoir 22 configured to hold water or another liquidsuch as, for example, mouth wash or a mixture of water and mouth wash, aliquid passage 24 extending from the liquid reservoir 22 to the liquidspray nozzle 20, a liquid pump 26 located within the internal cavity 14,an electric motor 29 located within the internal cavity 14 and having atleast one rotatable drive shaft 30 operatively connected to the brushhead 16 to selectively move the bristles 18 to brush the teeth andoperatively connected to the liquid pump 26 to selectively operate theliquid pump 26 to supply liquid through the liquid passage 24 from theliquid reservoir 22 to the liquid spray nozzle 20. The illustratedelectric toothbrush 10 also includes at least one manually-actuatedswitch or actuator 32, 34, 46 operatively connected to the electricmotor 28, and other components, for selecting one of a plurality ofmodes of operation including: (a) a first mode both moving the bristles18 and spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from theliquid spray nozzle 20; (b) a second mode moving the bristles 18 but notspraying any liquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20; and (c) a thirdmode spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from theliquid spray nozzle 20 but not moving the bristles 18. Note that whilethe illustrated electric toothbrush 10 has three modes of operationfewer or more than one mode of operation can alternatively be utilized.For example, in another embodiment the electric toothbrush could haveonly two modes of operation: (a) a first mode both moving the bristles18 and spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from theliquid spray nozzle 20; and (b) a second mode moving the bristles 18 butnot spraying any liquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20.

The illustrated body or handle 12 is sized and shaped so that it can behandheld by a user when brushing teeth with the bristles 18 and/orflossing teeth with the stream of liquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20and forms the internal cavity 14 which is sized and shaped to holdvarious components of the electric toothbrush 10 as described in moredetail herein below. The illustrated handle 12 has a modified hourglassshape about a vertically-extending central longitudinal axis 38 thatgradually narrows from a relatively wide base portion 40 (located at thebottom or proximal end of the handle 12) to a relatively narrow centralor gripping portion 42 (located at the central portion of the handle12), and gradually widens from the narrow gripping portion to arelatively moderately wide top portion 44 (located at the top or distalend of the handle 12). This hourglass shape is ergonomically shaped toaccommodate a user's hand so that the electric toothbrush 10 can beoperated as a handheld device and also provides sufficient internalspace for the components such as, for example, the liquid reservoir 22as described in more detail herein below.

The illustrated removable brush head 16 vertically and upwardly extendsfrom the top portion 44 of the handle 12 and includes both the pluralityof bristles 18 and the liquid spray nozzle 20. The illustrated removablebrush head 16 is generally elongate and has a vertically-extendingcentral longitudinal axis that is coaxial with the vertically-extendingcentral longitudinal axis 38 of the handle 12 when the brush head 16 isattached to the handle 12. The illustrated brush head 16 is selectivelydetachable from the top portion 44 of the handle 12 via a threaded nut48 that cooperates with a threaded neck 50 at the top of the handle 12.This detachable or removable connection permits the brush head 16 to beselectively removed or detached for cleaning and/or replacement andselectively reattached and/or attached to the handle 12. It is notedthat any other suitable detachable connection can alternatively beutilized such as, for example, a detent with manually-actuated releasedevice, a bayonet-type connection, and the like.

The illustrated brush head 16 includes an enlarged head portion 52 atits upper end, an elongate bottom portion 54 extending downward from abottom of the head portion 52, and an outwardly extending flange 56 atthe lower end of the bottom portion 54 that is configured forcooperating with the threaded nut 48. The illustrated enlarged headportion 52 has planar or flat front and back sides. The illustratedthreaded nut 48 has a central opening 58 through which the elongatebottom portion 54 extends so that the threaded nut 48 is located abovethe flange 56 to secure the brush head 16 to the handle 12 when thethreaded nut 48 is securely threaded onto the threaded neck 50 of thehandle 12 to secure the brush head 16 to the handle 12 while permittingthe brush head 12 to oscillate or pivot relative to the handle 12 aboutthe central longitudinal axis 38. A cavity 60 upwardly extends into theelongate bottom portion 54 from the lower end of the elongate bottomportion. The illustrated cavity 60 is sized and shaped to receive anupper end of a brush head drive shaft 62 that upwardly extends from thetop of the handle 12 as described in more detail herein below. Theillustrated cavity 60 has a lower portion that is circular in crosssection and an upper portion that has a flat section 64 to form asemi-circular or a half circle in cross section to cooperate with thebrush head drive shaft 62 to form a drive connection such thatoscillating or pivoting of the brush head drive shaft 62 about thecentral longitudinal axis 38 oscillates or pivots the brush head 16about the central longitudinal axis 38. A liquid passage or duct 66upwardly extends from the top of the cavity 60 to the inner end of theliquid spray nozzle 20 to provide passage of liquid to the liquid spraynozzle 20 as described in more detail herein below. It is noted that thebrush head 16 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

Each of the bristles 18 of the illustrated plurality of bristles 18 isstraight, and horizontally and perpendicularly extends from the frontside of the head portion 52 of the brush head 16 and thus isperpendicular to the central longitudinal axis 46 of the brush head 16.The illustrated bristles 18 are in the configuration of a plurality ofspaced-apart bunch of bristles in a known manner. The bristles 18 can besecured to the head portion 52 of the brush head 16 in any suitablemanner. The bristles 18 can comprise any suitable flexible material forbrushing teeth. It is noted that the plurality of bristles 18 canalternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20 is substantially straight, andhorizontally and perpendicularly extends from the front side of the headportion 52 of the brush head 16 and thus is perpendicular to the centrallongitudinal axis 46 of the brush head 16. The illustrated liquid spraynozzle 20 is centrally positioned on the front side of the head portion52 and surrounded by the bristles 18. The illustrated liquid spraynozzle 20 has a central passage 68 that extends entirely through theliquid spray nozzle 20 and narrows in a direction toward an outer end ortip of liquid spray nozzle 20 so that the liquid spray nozzle 20produces the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid. It is noted thatthe outer surface of the illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20 also narrowsin diameter in a direction toward the outer tip of the liquid spraynozzle 20. An inner end of the central passage 68 is in liquid flowcommunication with an upper end of the liquid duct 66. The liquid spraynozzle 20 can be secured to the head portion 52 of the brush head 16 inany suitable manner. The illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20 has a lengththat is slightly greater than the length of the bristles 18 so that theouter tip of the liquid spray nozzle 20 or the spray therefrom is notimpacted by the bristles 20 and the user can see the outer tip of theliquid spray nozzle 20 to aid the user in properly positioning thepulsating high-pressure stream of liquid during flossing as described inmore detail herein below. The illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20comprises a resiliently flexible material so that the liquid spraynozzle 20 flexes similar to the bristles 18 and does not adverselyimpact brushing the user's teeth with the bristles 18. It is noted thatthe liquid spray nozzle 20 can alternatively have any other suitableconfiguration.

The illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20 is configured so that it does notadversely enlarge the overall size of the head portion 52 along with thebristles 18 which would make it more difficult for the user to brushteeth with the brush head. It is noted that the illustrated liquid spraynozzle 20 does not enlarge either the height H or the width W of thehead portion and bristles 52, 18 and only slightly increases the lengthL of the head portion and bristles 52, 18. It is also noted that theliquid spray nozzle 20 can alternatively have a length similar to thebristles 18 so that the liquid spray nozzle 20 also does not enlarge thelength L of the head portion and bristles 52, 18 but this may make itmore difficult for the user to accurately aim the stream of liquid fromthe liquid spray nozzle 20. It is further noted that the liquid spraynozzle 20 can have any other suitable configuration.

FIGS. 4A and 5A illustrate a first variation of the liquid spray nozzle20A wherein the liquid spray nozzle 20A is positioned to spray thepulsating high-pressure stream of liquid above and at an angle relativeto the bristles 18. The illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20A issubstantially straight and forwardly and upwardly extends from the frontside of the head portion 52 at an acute angle (that is an angle of lessthan 90 degrees) to the central longitudinal axis 46 of the brush head16. The liquid spray nozzle 20A preferably upwardly extends from thefront side of the head portion 52 at an angle of about 20 degrees toabout 70 degrees to the central longitudinal axis 46 of the brush head16, and more preferably upwardly extends from the front side of the headportion 52 at an angle of about 45 degrees to the central longitudinalaxis 46 of the brush head 16. It is noted that the liquid spray nozzle20A can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated first variation of the liquid spray nozzle 20A isconfigured so that it does not adversely enlarge the size of the brushhead with bristles 52, 18 which would make it more difficult for theuser to brush teeth with the brush head 16. It is noted that theillustrated liquid spray nozzle 20A is sized and positioned so that itdoes not enlarge either the height H of the head portion and bristles52, 18, the width W of the head portion and bristles 52, 18, or thelength L of the head portion and bristles 52, 18. Thus, it does notenlarge the envelope (H×W×L) of the head portion and bristles 52, 18 atall. Configured in this manner, the illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20Ais not impacted by the bristles 18 and the user can easily see the outertip of the liquid spray nozzle 20A to aid in properly positioning thepulsating high-pressure stream of liquid during flossing as described inmore detail herein below.

FIGS. 4B and 5B illustrate a second variation of the liquid spray nozzle20B wherein the liquid spray nozzle 20B is positioned to upwardly spraythe pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid at the top of the brushhead 16 and at an angle relative to the bristles 18. The illustratedliquid spray nozzle 20B is substantially straight and forwardly andupwardly extends from the top of the head portion 52 at an acute angle(that is an angle of less than 90 degrees) to the central longitudinalaxis 46 of the brush head 16. The liquid spray nozzle 20B preferablyupwardly extends from the top of the head portion 52 at an angle ofabout 20 degrees to about 70 degrees to the central longitudinal axis 46of the brush head 16 and more preferably upwardly extends from the topof the head portion 52 at an angle of about 45 degrees to the centrallongitudinal axis 46 of the brush head 16. It is noted that the liquidspray nozzle 20B can alternatively have any other suitableconfiguration.

The illustrated second variation of the liquid spray nozzle 20B isconfigured so that it does not adversely enlarge the size of the headportion 52 along with the bristles 18 which would make it more difficultfor the user to brush teeth with the brush head 16. It is noted that theillustrated liquid spray nozzle 20B is sized and positioned so that itdoes not enlarge either the width W of the head portion and bristles 52,18, or the length L of the head portion and bristles 52, 18, and onlyslightly increases the height H of the head portion and bristles 52, 18.The illustrated liquid spray nozzle 20B has a length that is shorterrelative to the lengths of the other above two versions of the liquidspray nozzles 20, 20A because it does not need to extend out of thebristles 18, and it is desirable to minimize the increase in the lengthof the brush head 16. Configured in this manner the illustrated liquidspray nozzle 20B is not impacted by the bristles 18 and vice versa, andthe user can easily see the entire liquid spray nozzle 20B to aid inproperly positioning the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid duringflossing as described in more detail herein below.

The illustrated liquid reservoir 22 is configured to hold a supply ofliquid such as, for example, water in a hollow interior space 70 and islocated within the handle 12. The illustrated liquid reservoir 22 formsa part of the base portion 40 of the handle 12 at a rear side of thehandle 12. The illustrated liquid reservoir 22 includes a fill port 72near the bottom of the liquid reservoir 22 and at the rear side of thehandle 12 and a transfer tube 74 horizontally extending along a bottomof the liquid reservoir 22 to an outlet port 76 at a front of the liquidreservoir 22. A removable cap 78 is provided to close the fill port 72when the liquid reservoir 22 is not being filled with liquid.

In one embodiment of the liquid reservoir 22, the liquid reservoir 22 isremovable from the rest of the handle 12 and held in place with a latchor the like and the outlet port 76 is provided with a seal coupling thatseals the outlet port 76 when the liquid reservoir 22 is removed fromthe handle 12 and sealingly mates with a bottom end of a suction tube 80of the liquid pump 26 when the liquid reservoir 22 is coupled to therest of the handle 12. For example, see the removable reservoirdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,403,665, the disclosure of which isexpressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Thus, tofill the liquid reservoir 22 with water or other liquid, the liquidreservoir 22 may be disengaged and removed from the rest of the handle12, the cap 78 of the fill port 72 is opened, and water or other liquidis flowed into the hollow interior space 70 of the liquid reservoir 22through the open fill port 72. Once the liquid reservoir 22 is filled asdesired, the flow of liquid into liquid reservoir is ceased and the cap78 is reinserted to close the fill port 72 and the liquid reservoir 22is reattached to the rest of the handle 12.

In another embodiment of the liquid reservoir 22, the liquid reservoir22 is integrated with to the rest of the handle 12 and thus is notremovable from the rest of the handle 12. To fill the liquid reservoir22, the cap 78 of the fill port 72 is opened and water or other liquidis flowed into the hollow interior space 70 of the liquid reservoir 22through the open fill port 72. Once the liquid reservoir is filled asdesired, the flow of water or other liquid into liquid reservoir 22 isceased and the cap 78 reinserted to close the fill port 72. It is notedthat in this embodiment of the liquid reservoir 22, the latch and theseal coupling are not required. It is also noted that the liquidreservoir 22 can alternatively be configured in any other suitablemanner.

The illustrated electric motor 28 is located within the internal cavity14 and is in front of the liquid pump 22. The illustrated electric motor28 has the vertically extending rotating drive shaft 30 that extends outboth ends of a motor housing 82. An upper end 30A of the motor driveshaft 30 is operatively connected to the vertically extending driveshaft 62 of the brush head 16 via a brush head transmission or driveassembly 84 to selectively move the bristles 18 in a desired motion tobrush teeth. A lower end 30B of the motor drive shaft 30 is operativelyconnected to the liquid pump 26 via a pump transmission or driveassembly 86 to selectively operate the liquid pump 26 in a desiredmotion to supply liquid through the liquid passage 24 from the liquidreservoir 22 to the liquid spray nozzle 20. The illustrated electricmotor 28 is a DC electric motor but any other suitable type of motor canalternatively be utilized. It is also noted that any other suitableconfiguration of the electric motor 28 can alternatively be utilizedsuch as, for example, the motor drive shaft 30 can alternatively extendout only one end of the motor housing 82 with both the brush head 16 andthe liquid pump 26 operably connected to the same end of the motor driveshaft 30, or that separate electric motors 28 can be alternativelyutilized with one operably connected to the brush head 16 and the otheroperably connected to the liquid pump 26.

The illustrated electric power source 88 for the electric motor 28 is aninternal electric power source located below the electric motor 28. Theillustrated internal electric power source is a DC power source in theform of a rechargeable NiCad battery but any other suitable electricpower source 88 can alternatively be utilized. A charging plug or port90 is located near the bottom of the base portion 40 of the illustratedhandle 12 at the front side of the handle 12. The charging port 90 isoperably connected to the rechargeable battery 88 to selectively placean external power source in electrical communication with therechargeable battery 188 to recharge the rechargeable battery 88 and/orto operate the electric motor 28.

The illustrated liquid pump 26 is located within the internal cavity 14of the handle 12 forward the liquid reservoir 22 and rearward of theelectric motor 28. The illustrated pump transmission 86 is located belowthe electric motor 28 and the liquid pump 26 and operably connects thelower end 30B of the motor drive shaft 30 with a piston 92 of the liquidpump 26 to drive the piston 92 in a desired manner. The verticallyextending motor drive shaft 30 has a pinion gear thereon to to drive agear of the pump transmission 86 which carries a cam. The pumptransmission gear and cam are driven by the pinion gear to each rotateabout a horizontal axis of rotation. The illustrated liquid pump 26includes a piston rod 94 that downwardly extends from the piston 92. Thelower end of the piston rod 94 forms a cam follower that receives thecam of the pump transmission 86. As the cam rotates about its horizontalaxis, the cam follower and cam act to convert the rotational movementinto longitudinal reciprocal displacement of the piston 92 within thepiston cylinder 96 of the liquid pump 26 along a vertically extendinglongitudinal axis of the piston cylinder 96. It is noted that the pumptransmission 86 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated liquid pump 26 also includes a suction port 98 throughwhich liquid from the liquid reservoir is drawn into the cylinder 96 viathe suction tube 80 and a discharge port 100 through which liquid ispushed out of the cylinder 96 to a discharge tube 102 of the liquid pump26. When the piston 92 moves in a downward direction within the cylinder96, a discharge valve is forced closed and liquid is drawn into thecylinder 96 through the suction port 98 past an open suction valve fromthe suction tube 80. Note that liquid is drawn from the liquid reservoir22 through the transfer tube 74 into the suction tube 80 and out of thetop of the suction tube 80 which is in liquid-flow communication withthe suction port 98. When the piston 92 moves in an upward direction,the suction valve is forced closed and liquid is forced out of thecylinder 96 past the open discharge valve and through the discharge port100 to the discharge tube 102 leading toward the liquid spray nozzle 20.It is also noted that the liquid pump 26 can alternatively be configuredin any other suitable manner.

The illustrated liquid pump 26 is configured to provide the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid to be selectively discharged from theliquid discharge nozzle 20. The stream of liquid has a preferred numberof pulses per minute 1000-1600 pulses per minute, a more preferrednumber of pulses per minute 1100-1400 pulses per minute, and an evenmore preferred number of pulses per minute of 1200 pulses per minute,etc. It is noted that any other suitable number of pulses per minute canalternatively be utilized. The illustrated liquid pump 26, and othercomponents, is also configured to provide the pulsating high-pressurestream of liquid to exit the liquid discharge nozzle 20 at a preferredpressure of 40 to 100 pounds per square-inch (psi), a more preferredpressure of 50 to 90 psi, and an even more preferred pressure of about70 psi. It is noted that any other suitable pressure can alternativelybe utilized. It is also noted that a pressure control assembly canadvantageously be provided that selectively adjusts the dischargepressure of the stream of liquid to suit the user's comfort preferences,preferably while maintaining the pulse rate generally at a preferredpulse rate. For example, see the pressure control assembly described inU.S. Pat. No. 8,403,665, the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The illustrated brush head transmission or drive assembly 84 is locatedabove the electric motor 28 and operably connects thevertically-extending upper end 30A of the motor drive shaft 30 to thelower end of the vertically-extending brush head drive shaft 62. Theillustrated brush head drive shaft 62 has a vertically-extending centrallongitudinal axis that is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis 38of the handle 12. The illustrated brush head drive shaft 62 has an upperend located outside the handle 12 and adapted to have the brush head 16removably secured thereto for oscillation therewith and a lower endlocated within the internal cavity 14 and adapted to be operablyconnected to the electric motor 28 by the brush head transmission 84 tobe selectively moved by the electric motor 28 in a desired manner. Theillustrated upper end of the brush head drive shaft 62 has a lowerportion that is circular in cross section and an upper portion with aflat region 104 that it is semi-circular or a half circle in crosssection to cooperate with the brush head 16 to form the drive connectionsuch that oscillation or pivoting of the brush head drive shaft 62 aboutthe central longitudinal axis 38 also oscillates or pivots the brushhead 16 about the central longitudinal axis 38. The illustrated brushhead drive shaft 62 is also provided with a central passage 106extending entirely therethrough from an inlet at a lower end of thebrush head drive shaft 62 to an outlet at an upper end of the brush headdrive shaft 62. The inlet is in liquid-flow communication with the upperend or outlet of the discharge tube 102 of the liquid pump 26. Asuitable seal coupling 108 is provided so that a liquid-flow sealedconnection is provided while the brush head drive shaft 62 oscillates orpivots and the discharge tube 102 remains stationary. The outlet of thecentral passage 106 is in liquid-flow communication with the lower endor inlet of the liquid duct 66 of the brush head 16. A suitable seal 110is provided within the brush head 16 that is engaged by the upper end ofthe brush head drive shaft 62 so that a liquid-flow sealed connection isprovided therebetween. It is noted that the brush head drive shaft 62can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated brush head transmission 84 is configured to transformthe rotating motion of the motor drive shaft 30 into reciprocal oroscillating pivoting motion of the brush head drive shaft 62 to move thebristles 18 in back-and-forth reciprocal pivoting motion about thecentral longitudinal axis 38. The brush head transmission 84 can haveany suitable configuration. For example, see the brush head driveassembly described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,144,477, the disclosure of whichis expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. It isnoted that the brush head transmission 84, and other components, canalternatively be adapted to move the bristles 18 in any other suitablemanner such as for example, up-and-down reciprocal linear motion, inrotating motion about a horizontally extending axis of rotation,vibratory motion, and the like. It is also noted that the brush headtransmission 84 can alternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated liquid passage 24 extends from the liquid reservoir 22to the liquid spray nozzle 20 to provide liquid from the liquidreservoir 22 to the liquid spray nozzle 20. The illustrated liquidpassage 24 includes the transfer tube 74 that extends from the hollowinterior space 70 of the liquid reservoir 22 to the outlet port 76 ofthe liquid reservoir 22 at a front of the liquid reservoir 22, thesuction tube 80 which extends upwardly from the outlet port 76 of theliquid reservoir 22 to the suction port 98 of the liquid pump cylinder96, the cylinder 96 of the liquid pump 26, and the discharge tube 102that upwardly extends from the discharge port 100 of the liquid pumpcylinder 96 to the central passage 106 of the brush drive shaft 62 whichupwardly extends to the brush head liquid duct 66. The illustratedliquid passage 26 also includes the brush head liquid duct 66 thatupwardly extends from the upper end of the drive shaft central passage106 to the inner end of the liquid spray nozzle 20, and through thenozzle central passage 68 from the inner end to the outer end where thepulsating high-pressure stream of liquid is discharged. Thus, theillustrated liquid passage 24 provides a liquid-sealed passage from theinterior space 70 of the liquid reservoir 22 to the outlet of the liquidspray nozzle 20. It is noted that the liquid passage 24 canalternatively have any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated at least one manually-actuated control switch oractuator 32, 34, 36 is operatively connected to the electric motor 28and other components as described in more detail below for selecting oneof a plurality modes of operation including: (a) a first mode bothmoving the bristles 18 and spraying liquid from the liquid spray nozzle20; (b) moving the bristles 18 but not spraying liquid from the liquidspray nozzle 20; and (c) spraying liquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20but not moving the bristles 18. The illustrated electric tooth brush 10includes three control switches or actuators 32, 34, 36 on the frontside of the gripping portion 42 that include a power control switch oractuator 32, a brush control switch or actuator 34, and a liquid controlswitch or actuator 36. It is noted that any other suitable quantity ofcontrol switches or actuators 32, 34, 36 can alternatively be utilizedsuch as, for example, the power switch or actuator 32 can be eliminatedso that there are only two control switches or actuators 34, 36 if thepower on/off function is integrated into both the brush control switchor actuator 34 and the liquid control switch or actuator 36.

The illustrated power control switch or actuator 32 permits a user toselectively turn on and shut off power of the electric toothbrush 10. Toturn on power of the electric toothbrush 10, the power control switch oractuator 32, which can be a slide, button, etc., is moved (e.g., slid ordepressed) to complete an electrical circuit between the internalelectric power source 88 and the electric motor 28. To turn off power ofthe electric toothbrush 10, the power control switch 32 is moved againto break the electrical circuit between the internal electric powersource 88 and the electric motor 28. In is noted that the power controlswitch or actuator 32 can alternatively have any other suitableconfiguration.

The illustrated brush control switch or actuator 34 permits a user toselectively turn on and shut off the movement of the brush head bristles18 when power of the electric toothbrush 10 is on. To turn on movementof the bristles 18, the brush control switch or actuator 34, which canbe a slide, button, etc., is moved (e.g., slid or depressed) to completethe connection between the motor drive shaft 30 and the brush head driveshaft 62 via the brush head transmission 84. To turn off movement of thebristles 18, the brush control switch 34 is moved again to break theconnection between the motor drive shaft 30 and the brush head driveshaft 62 via the brush head transmission 84. For example, the connectioncan be broken by temporarily disconnecting mechanical components suchas, for example, gears, cams, links etc. so that the motor drive shaftfreely rotates 30 without moving the brush head drive shaft 62. It isnoted that the brush control switch or actuator 34 can alternativelyhave any other suitable configuration.

The illustrated brush control switch or actuator 36 permits a user toselectively turn on and shut off the pulsating high-pressure stream ofliquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20 when power of the electrictoothbrush 10 is on. To turn on the pulsating high-pressure stream ofliquid, the liquid control switch or actuator 36, which can be a slide,button, etc., is moved (e.g., slid or depressed) to open a valve 112located in the suction tube 80 to permit flow of liquid to the liquidpump 26 from the liquid reservoir 22. To turn off the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid, the liquid control switch 36 is movedagain to close the valve 112 located in the suction tube 80 to preventflow of liquid to the liquid pump 26 from the liquid reservoir 22. It isnoted that the liquid control switch or actuator 34 can alternativelyhave any other suitable configuration.

For typical operation of the electric toothbrush 10, with therechargeable battery 88 adequately charged, the user grasps the handle12 in one hand and activates the power control switch 32 which connectsthe rechargeable battery 88 to the electric motor 28 to energize theelectric motor 28 to rotate the motor drive shaft 30. The user thenplaces the brush head 16 into their mouth with the outer end of theliquid spray nozzle 20 aimed at about a 45 degree angle toward a desiredlocation between teeth or between a tooth and gum and activates theliquid control switch 36 which opens the valve 112. With the valve 112open, the reciprocating piston 92 of the liquid pump 26 draws liquid tothe suction tube 80 from the hollow interior space 70 through thetransfer tube 74, upwardly through the suction tube 80 to the suctionport 98 of the liquid pump cylinder 96, through the cylinder 96 of theliquid pump 26 to the discharge port 100, upwardly through the dischargetube 102 to the central passage 106 of the brush drive shaft 62,upwardly through the central passage 106 of the brush drive shaft 62 tothe brush head liquid duct 66, upwardly through the brush head liquidduct 66 to the liquid spray valve 20, and outwardly from the liquidspray valve 20 as the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid impactsthe intended target within the user's mouth. The user then moves thestream of liquid between teeth and along the tooth and gum interfaceswhile maintain the 45 degree angle with the target. When flossing iscomplete, the user activates the liquid control switch 36 which closesthe valve 112 and ceases the flow of liquid out of the liquid spraynozzle 20. The user can then remove the brush head 16 from their mouth,and apply tooth paste or the like on the ends of the bristles 18. Theuser can then brush their teeth by placing the brush head 16 into theirmouth with the ends of the bristles 18 engaging teeth and activates thebrush control switch 34 which connects the motor drive shaft 30 to thebrush head drive shaft 62 to begin moving the brush head 16 withoscillating movement. With the bristles 18 moving with oscillatingmovement, the user moves the bristles 18 around the surfaces of theuser's teeth. When brushing is complete, the user again activates thebrush control switch 34 which disconnects the motor drive shaft 30 fromthe brush head drive shaft 62 to stop moving the brush head 16 andremoves the brush head 16 from their mouth. The user can then againactivate the power control switch 32 which disconnects the rechargeablebattery 88 from the electric motor 28 to de-energize the electric motor28 and stop rotation of the motor drive shaft 30. It is noted that ifthe user desires the brush head 16 to oscillate during flossing they canactivate the brush control switch 34 in addition to the liquid controlswitch 36. It is noted that if the user desires liquid to be sprayedfrom the liquid spray nozzle during brushing they can activate theliquid control switch 36 in addition to the brush control switch 34.

In a variation of the electric toothbrush 10, the brush control switch34 is eliminated and the electric toothbrush has only two modes ofoperation: (a) a first mode moving the bristles 18 but not spraying anyliquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20; and (b) a second mode bothmoving the bristles 18 and spraying the pulsating high-pressure streamof liquid from the liquid spray nozzle 20. In this variation of theelectric tooth brush 10, flossing occurs with the brush head 16 moving.With the brush control switch 34 eliminated there are only two controlswitches: the power control switch 32; and the liquid control switch 36.When the power control switch 32 is activated, the rechargeable battery88 is connected to the electric motor 28 to energize the electric motor28 to rotate the motor drive shaft 30, which oscillates the brush headdrive shaft 62 to oscillate the brush head 16. When the liquid controlswitch 36 is activated while the electric motor 28 is energized, thevalve 112 is opened so that the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquidflows from the liquid spray nozzle 20 while the brush head 16 isoscillating.

FIG. 7 illustrates an electric toothbrush with integrated water flosser10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Theillustrated electric toothbrush 10A is substantially the same as theelectric toothbrush 10 according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention described above except that it includes a base unit 114configured to be supported on a horizontal support surface and aseparate handheld unit 116 connected to the base unit 114 with aflexible tube 118 for passing liquid from the base unit 114 to thehandheld unit 116. The illustrated base unit 114 includes the liquidreservoir 22 therein which is configured to hold a supply of liquid tobe selectively pumped to the handheld unit 116. With the liquidreservoir 22 in the base unit 114, the liquid reservoir 22 can be sizedto hold a larger amount of liquid. The illustrated handheld unit 116 issubstantially the same as the electric toothbrush 10 of the firstembodiment of the invention described above except that it does notinclude the liquid reservoir 22. Without the liquid reservoir 22 in thehandheld unit 116, the handheld unit 116 can be sized smaller. Theflexible tube 118 extends between the outlet port 76 of the liquidreservoir 22 in the base unit 114 and the inlet of the pump suction tube80 in the handheld unit 116 to provide liquid-flow communicationtherebetween. The illustrated base unit is also provided with an AC/DCconverter 120 that can be connected to AC power mains 122 so that thecharge port 90 of the handheld unit 116 automatically engages the AC/DCconvertible 120 when the handheld unit 116 is placed in a cradle of thebase unit 114 when not in use to automatically recharge the battery 88in the handheld unit 116. It is noted that the illustrated separate baseand hand held units 114, 116 can alternatively have any other suitableconfiguration such as, for example, the battery 88 can be eliminated anda power wire or cord provided that extends between the base unit 114 andthe handheld unit 116 along with the flexible tube 18 to connect theAC/DC converter 120 with the electric motor 28, the liquid pump 26 canbe moved into the base unit 114 from the handheld unit 114 (note thatthis would requires separate electric motors 28 located in the base unit114 and the handheld unit 116), and/or the like.

It is noted that each of the features of the various disclosedembodiments of the present invention can be utilized in any combinationwith each of the other disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

The preferred embodiments of this invention can be achieved by manytechniques and methods known to persons who are skilled in this field.To those skilled and knowledgeable in the arts to which the presentinvention pertains, many widely differing embodiments will be suggestedby the foregoing without departing from the intent and scope of thepresent invention. The descriptions and disclosures herein are intendedsolely for purposes of illustration and should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric toothbrush with water flossercomprising: a handle forming an internal cavity; a brush head extendingfrom the handle and having a plurality of bristles configured forbrushing teeth and a liquid spray nozzle configured for spraying apulsating high-pressure stream of liquid between the teeth and gums; aliquid reservoir configured to hold liquid; a liquid passage extendingfrom the liquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle; a liquid pumplocated within the internal cavity; a motor located within the internalcavity and having at least one rotatable drive shaft operativelyconnected to the brush head to selectively move the bristles to brushthe teeth and operatively connected to the liquid pump to selectivelyoperate the liquid pump to supply liquid through the liquid passage fromthe liquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle; and at least onemanually-actuated switch operatively connected to the motor forselecting one of a plurality of modes of operation including: (a) bothmoving the bristles and spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream ofliquid from the liquid spray nozzle; and (b) moving the bristles but notspraying any liquid from the liquid spray nozzle.
 2. The electrictoothbrush of claim 1, wherein the liquid passage extends through atleast a portion of a drive shaft for the brush head.
 3. The electrictoothbrush of claim 1, wherein the brush head is selectively removablefrom the body.
 4. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, further comprisingan electric power source located within the internal cavity andoperatively connected to the motor.
 5. The electric toothbrush of claim1, wherein the liquid spray nozzle is positioned to spray the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid out of and parallel to the bristles. 6.The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the liquid spray nozzle ispositioned to spray the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid aboveand at an acute angle relative to the bristles.
 7. The electrictoothbrush of claim 1, wherein the liquid spray nozzle is positioned tospray the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid at the top of thebrush head.
 8. The electric toothbrush of claim 1, wherein the liquidspray nozzle comprises a flexible material.
 9. A handheld electrictoothbrush with water flosser comprising: a handle forming at least oneinternal cavity; a brush head extending from the handle and having aplurality of bristles configured for brushing teeth and a liquid spraynozzle configured for spraying a high-pressure stream of liquid betweenthe teeth and gums; a liquid reservoir located within the internalcavity and configured to hold liquid; a liquid passage extending fromthe liquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle; a liquid pump locatedwithin the internal cavity; a motor located within the internal cavityand having at least one rotatable drive shaft operatively connected tothe brush head to selectively move the bristles to brush the teeth andoperatively connected to the liquid pump to selectively operate theliquid pump to supply liquid through the liquid passage from the liquidreservoir to the liquid spray nozzle; an electric power source locatedwithin the internal cavity and operatively connected to the motor toselectively rotate the drive shaft; and at least one manually-actuatedswitch operatively connected to the motor for selecting one of aplurality of modes of operation including: (a) both moving the bristlesand spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from theliquid spray nozzle; (b) moving the bristles but not spraying any liquidfrom the liquid spray nozzle; and (c) spraying the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid to the liquid spray nozzle but not movingthe bristles.
 10. The electric toothbrush of claim 9, wherein the liquidpassage extends through at least a portion of a drive shaft for thebrush head.
 11. The electric toothbrush of claim 9, wherein the brushhead is selectively removable from the body.
 12. The electric toothbrushof claim 9, wherein the liquid spray nozzle is positioned to spray thepulsating high-pressure stream of liquid above and at an acute anglerelative to the bristles.
 13. The electric toothbrush of claim 9,wherein the liquid spray nozzle is positioned to spray the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid at the top of the brush head.
 14. Theelectric toothbrush of claim 9, wherein the liquid spray nozzlecomprises a flexible material.
 15. An electric toothbrush with waterflosser comprising: a base unit configured to be supported on ahorizontal support surface and including: a liquid reservoir locatedwithin the base unit and configured to hold liquid; and a handheld unitoperably connected to the base unit and including: a handle forming atleast one internal cavity; a brush head extending from the handle andhaving a plurality of bristles configured for brushing teeth and aliquid spray nozzle configured for spraying a high-pressure stream ofliquid between the teeth and gums; a liquid passage extending from theliquid reservoir to the liquid spray nozzle; a liquid pump locatedwithin the internal cavity; a motor located within the internal cavityand having at least one rotatable drive shaft operatively connected tothe brush head to selectively move the bristles to brush the teeth andoperatively connected to the liquid pump to selectively operate theliquid pump to supply liquid through the liquid passage from the liquidreservoir to the liquid spray nozzle; and at least one manually-actuatedswitch operatively connected to the motor for selecting one of aplurality of modes of operation including: (a) both moving the bristlesand spraying the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid from theliquid spray nozzle; (b) moving the bristles but not spraying any liquidfrom the liquid spray nozzle; and (c) spraying the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid from the liquid spray nozzle but notmoving the bristles.
 16. The electric toothbrush of claim 15, whereinthe liquid passage extends through at least a portion of a drive shaftfor the brush head.
 17. The electric toothbrush of claim 15, wherein thebrush head is selectively removable from the body.
 18. The electrictoothbrush of claim 15, wherein the liquid spray nozzle is positioned tospray the pulsating high-pressure stream of liquid above and at an acuteangle relative to the bristles.
 19. The electric toothbrush of claim 15,wherein the liquid spray nozzle is positioned to spray the pulsatinghigh-pressure stream of liquid at the top of the brush head.
 20. Theelectric toothbrush of claim 15, wherein the liquid spray nozzlecomprises a flexible material.